Wedding Help!!

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fuchsialynzi

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Lyndsey
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Hiya!

New here so big hello first of all!

I am shooting a wedding for my other halves cousin on the 3rd Oct. For which Im not too worried about as Ive did around 5 weddings already, problem being its in Newcastle and im in Glasgow. Im not able to get down there until the night before due to work commitments and im worried as I wont get to see the venue before hand.

As its Oct im praying for good weather but cant be sure so limited if i cant see wheres suitable first.

Any ideas or past experiences in doing this? ive got a metz and a speedlight with my Eos 400D but would rather get readings before hand as time will be short on the day.

please help!!!!

Lyndsey :gag:
 
Google Earth/Streetview perhaps? Not gonna help for settings of course, but might give you some ideas location-wise...
 
well I say Newcastle to generlise, its in Billingham, not sure how far away that it, its ST Cuthberts Church and then Ramside Hall which I believe is 20 mins drive away. website looks lovely but doesnt give you many shots of venue.

as long as the weather holds up i should be fine but worried about low lighting inside and not having time to properly set up for it.

lynzi
 
Teeside rather than Tyneside, Smoggies rather than Geordies. Too far for me to pop down but good luck!

In general, how would you "set up" for low light in a church, I thought they were very much against flash? So is it not just a case of set your prime to f/1.8 and off you go?
 
martsharm said:
Teeside rather than Tyneside, Smoggies rather than Geordies. Too far for me to pop down but good luck!

In general, how would you "set up" for low light in a church, I thought they were very much against flash? So is it not just a case of set your prime to f/1.8 and off you go?
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It varies from church to church, some will let you use flash some won't, it's down to the individual vicar.
 
The church Im not too concerned with, they only want a few shots there, more the reception incase its raining and have to shoot all indoors.

unfortunatly my lenses are limited, have the kit 18-55 lens, also a canon 35-70mm ( cant remember the lowest/highest f stop- at work just now) Which have done me ok so far, really need to get a wider angle lens to get creative with venues.

ive got a reflector and a wee brolly for my speedlight which may come in handy for stair cases etc. hoping to shoot alot in reportage though.

suppose im just nervous as im walking into the unknown the day of the wedding!!

ps, thanks for the offer of a snoop around anywhoo!!

lynz
 
I normally take a studio setup with me in case of bad weather, depending on the venue sometimes we'll set up in the church (with permission) or the reception if theres room. We tend to only do that if it's tipping down and in for the day, if it's showers we'll nip out in between with a few brollies just in case.
 
I've done weddings where i haven't been to the venue before, it doesn't take long to find your bearings or know where the best place to shoot from.

Also, you can't control the weather so don't worry.

Get the fastest glass you can, and prep your kit, its all you can do.
 
Dont worry!!!!!

Go to the reception early in the day and have a good look around. If you are unsure then ask what spots/places the local pro's use.Then get to the church nice and early, have a look around there also and ask the same questions to the vicar/church warden. Once you have seen both venues you can then decide on who/what & where. Easy! :thumbs:
 
fuchsialynzi said:
The church Im not too concerned with, they only want a few shots there, more the reception incase its raining and have to shoot all indoors.

unfortunatly my lenses are limited, have the kit 18-55 lens, also a canon 35-70mm ( cant remember the lowest/highest f stop- at work just now) Which have done me ok so far, really need to get a wider angle lens to get creative with venues.

lynz
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It may be worth getting a faster lens for the church, as these are the important shots?:shrug:
(I dont know what the ISO it like on a 400D, but on the 350D its no good above 800.)


Spence
 
I am considering getting a new body before the event, as i have came into a bit of money,

anyone own a canon eos 500d? can anyone tell me if its alot better than the 400d? just to see if its worth spending the money on.

i do need a back up and extra camera anywhoo.

lynzi :cuckoo:
 
Sorry I'm unable to help with your request but can't actually believe your tackling weddings using only an entry level SLR camera and kit lens? No wonder you’re a feeling a little uneasy, I would be more than nervous walking into a wedding with that equipment. Good luck!
 
leeroy said:
Sorry I'm unable to help with your request but can't actually believe your tackling weddings using only an entry level SLR camera and kit lens? No wonder you’re a feeling a little uneasy, I would be more than nervous walking into a wedding with that equipment. Good luck!
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1. Hi and welcome :)

2. I couldnt agree more ;)
 
shame I didn't see this thread before!!
I'm in gateshead, south of the tyne but am busy friday and saturday this weekend.
however, Billingham is a far way from newcastle even...on a level with Darlington and near middlesbrough!

good luck
I'd invest in some sharper glass with more clarity and have a look at fill flash options too.
 
spencer said:
Rather than get the 500D, I would invest in some better glass.;)

Spence
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Normally I'd agree 100% with this but there is no backup camera - I'd say faster glass AND a camera are needed. Tamron 28-75 or 17-55 f2.8 lenses are useful for weddings.

If you are the only tog, it really is worth investing. If something goes wrong (and let me say I've seen it) then no backup could mean no photos! Slow glass really restricts you. i use a 70-200 f2.8L IS inside a church and sometimes at 1600 ISO and f2.8 I'm at 1/60th or slower. With slow glass you will really struggle!

I take it you have the ST-E2 and use the flash off camera (through the brolly)? That is a help.

JD
 
Might be worth hiring a better lens or two just for the weekend? I did that a few weeks ago, and it was well worth the money. Failing that, treat yourself to a nifty fifty - worth every penny!
 
The general rule of thumb for flash at weddings is that using the flash for the entry and exit shots is fine but no flash during the ceremony itself. This varies depending upon vicar/officiant and location. Always check before the ceremony (phone the church if you have to) and then just to be completely sure repeat back a summary of what they tell you. It is not unknown for ceremonies to be stopped and the photographer given a telling off or be told to leave. In a church it is first and foremost a religious ceremony and you are expected to respect that regardless of your own views. Personally I do not follow any faith or religion but as a photographer have to respect the wishes of those who do.

Regarding back up equipment I can only refer you to the following thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=150417

Since then I have also had another flash fail, a flash extension cable fail and have had another body dropped. I will repeat myself a little here. Many brides and grooms have put a lot of time and money into the preparation for their wedding. Some will have saved for years for this one day. As the photographer you have the responsibility of capturing the day for them so they can look back in years to come at what was probably the happiest and most expensive day of their lives. As a wedding photographer you don't have to be the most creative photographer (but it helps) but you do have to be competent, prepared and have equipment and plans to cover anything unforeseen. Personally, I would not even consider shooting a wedding with one body (I usually take 3 as a minimum).

The light is what it is . You can and should check the venue but you wont be able to change it on the day so you have to make sure you have the right kit and skills to get the shots regardless. A 50mm f1.8 is cheap and will give you a decent low light level lens. It is not be best lens for this by any means but if your flash fails or you are told you cannot use flash then you will at least have a chance of getting some decent shots.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

John
 
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